More N.J. Pupils Eating Breakfast in Schools, but State Participation Still Lags

The number of low-income children who receive breakfast in New Jersey schools each day has dramatically increased, according to a new report released today, but the state still lags far behind nationally.

There was a 21 percent increase in the number of low-income students eating breakfast at school from October 2010 to March 2012, according to Advocates for Children of New Jersey, which released the report. The group compiled its findings from state data.

Schools are increasingly serving students breakfast after the school day starts, allowing more children to access a healthy breakfast and attributing to the jump, the report said.